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Planning a visit to Innsbruck? Check out the best things to do in Innsbruck, Austria with the Innsbruck Card, plus everything you need to know to make the most of your time and money.
Innsbruck is the second-largest city in the Alps and the capital of the Austrian state of Tyrol and the historic Tyrol region (which includes the provinces of Trentino and South Tyrol, in Italy).
With a stunning mountain backdrop, magnificent architecture, and a young and lively vibe, much due to its renowned university, it’s also one of the most beautiful and pleasant cities I’ve ever been to!
I’ve spent 3 perfect days in Innsbruck during the last Easter break, 2 of them exploring with the Innsbruck Card. That was the best decision I’ve made since it allowed me to see so much more for a very affordable price.
If you’re planning your trip and would like to save some money, I definitely recommend buying this little card.
Not sure yet? In this article, I’m covering everything you need to know about the Innsbruck city card, as well as what to see in Innsbruck.
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Innsbruck Card
Whether you’re staying for 1, 2 or 3 days, the all-inclusive Innsbruck Card is the best way to explore the capital of Tyrol.
It includes admission to all museums and sights in the region, one round trip on any of Innsbruck’s cable cars, access to all public transportation and the Innsbruck hop-on-hop-off bus, as well as discounts in many shops and cultural events.
And the price is a real deal considering nothing is cheap in Austria!
You can buy it at your hotel or at the tourism office and enjoy it for 24, 48 or 72 hours. Or you can order it online here.
The period of validity starts when you use the card for the first time. You then need to write the start hour and date in the back of the card and present it when entering public transportation or the sightseeing bus.
You also need to present your card at all ticket offices in order to get an actual ticket to the attractions and museums.
That’s actually the only aspect where I think the Innsbruck city card has room for improvement: having to wait in line to get a ticket to each sight when you have already paid makes no sense to me.
But other than this small inconvenience, my 48-hour card was well worth the money. In fact, I used it extensively and saved a lot!
I had a great time exploring all of Innsbruck top attractions and really can’t recommend it enough.
If you’re looking to get the most of your time and money, read on for the best things to see in Innsbruck with your card.
Best things to do in Innsbruck, Austria
#1 Take the cable car to Nordkette
Easily accessible from the city center, the Nordkette is considered the jewel of the Alps for a reason.
You need to take 3 cable cars to get to the top of this mountain range, at 2,300 meters high, but the view from here is nothing less than an Alpine dream come true.
Make sure to climb to the summit, the Hafelekarspitze, for the most gorgeous sights and the mandatory picture at the top. It only takes 15 minutes and it’s well worth the extra effort!
After conquering my first Alps peak and soaking in the spectacular views of the city and mountains, I took the cable car down to Seegrube for a drink in the lively ski resort atmosphere.
Located in Austria’s largest nature park, the Karwendel, the Nordkette Mountains offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor lovers both in winter and summer, from skiing and snowboarding to hiking and rock climbing.
#2 Explore the old town
Innsbruck is probably one of the most scenic towns ever!
Wandering through the streets of the old town, it’s impossible to lose sight of the mountains that surround it with beauty and grandeur.
And the medieval town itself could not be more charming, with its pastel-colored buildings and its magnificent Imperial Palace.
But Innsbruck most famous landmark is the Golden Roof, built in the 15th century by Emperor Maximilian I as a royal box overlooking the square and street below.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of the city, I recommend joining a guided tour with a local guide.
#3 Admire the views from the City Tower
The 15th century City Tower, with its impressive 51 meters high, was used as watchtower and prison in the past.
Today you can climb to the viewing platform, at 31 meters high, to enjoy a unique perspective of the city and lovely views of the Alps.
#4 Stroll along the riverside
The picture-perfect riverside district was my favorite part of Innsbruck.
The pastel houses lined on the other side of the Inn River are possibly the most iconic image of Innsbruck and very Instagram worthy!
Sit in one of the many alfresco cafés and take in the views.
Or visit the Markthalle, an indoor food market where you can find fresh local products and delicacies side by side with international cuisine, street food, and bars.
#5 Relax at the Imperial Gardens
Located in front of the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Gardens were once reserved to the royalty.
Fortunately, today these beautiful gardens are open to the general public and are a wonderful place to relax and escape the tourist crowds, or even have a picnic.
In the middle of the park, there’s also a beer garden where you can enjoy a drink amidst all the greenery.
#6 Hop on and off the Innsbruck sightseer bus
Also included in your Innsbruck Card is a day ticket to the Innsbruck hop-on-hop-of bus, which takes you to all the main sites and attractions.
I usually don’t take tourist buses, unless I have very little time to explore a new place as I prefer to walk, but I really liked this one.
The round trip includes also less touristy areas of the city, and the audio guide gives you interesting insights about each place and the history of the city.
I recommend doing the whole tour but choosing a maximum of 2 or 3 attractions that you’d like to visit.
My choice was the Ambras Castle and the Bergisel since they are far from the city center and not possible to reach by foot.
You can find more details about these 2 places below.
#7 Go back in time at Ambras Castle
The lovely Ambras Castle is one of Tyrol’s top attractions and a mandatory thing to see in Innsbruck.
This Renaissance-style castle was built in the 16th century and is divided into the lower and upper castles.
The lower castle was designed to house the famous Ambras collections, established by the Archduke of Austria Ferdinand II, and is the oldest museum in the world.
In the upper castle, you can visit a royal portrait gallery and the remarkable Spanish Hall, which is considered one of the most important Renaissance halls worldwide and no doubt the most beautiful room in the castle.
Before you leave, don’t forget to take a walk through the pleasant park around the castle.
#8 Have lunch at the Bergisel ski jumping tower
If there’s a winter sport I love to watch on tv is ski jumping! There’s just something amazing about men and women defying the law of gravity that has me hooked every time.
So I couldn’t miss the chance to visit one of Innsbruck’s most peculiar attractions: the Bergisel Ski Jumping Stadium.
Designed by the architect Zaha Hadid and inaugurated in 2002, this 50-meter tower is one of the most important venues of the ski jumping world cup.
But even if you’re not a fan of the modality, it’s still worth visiting for the viewing platform and the panoramic restaurant on top serving delicious food and stunning views of Innsbruck.
#9 Visit the Tyrol Panorama Museum
History buffs should not miss a visit to the Tyrol Panorama Museum.
Its main attraction is the famous Innsbruck Giant Panoramic Painting, a centenary 1,000 square meters painting depicting the Third Battle of the Bergisel, which was fought in the exact same place where the museum is located.
The permanent exhibition is dedicated to the history of the region, while the adjacent Museum of the Tyrolean Imperial Infantry documents its military past.
#10 Marvel at the Swarovski Crystal Worlds
Swarovski is one of the most popular Austrian brands. What you may not know is that it was founded and has its headquarters in the state of Tyrol, near Innsbruck, where you can marvel at the spectacular Swarovski Crystal Worlds park and museum.
Displaying works of art made entirely with crystals by artists like Brian Eno, Niki de Saint Phalle, Yayoi Kusama, Andy Warhol or Salvador Dali, this sparkling museum is what dreams are made of!
The huge complex includes one of the largest Swarovski stores in the world, a restaurant, and a playtower for kids.
Additionally, in Innsbruck old town, the Swarovski Crystal Worlds Store features a smaller exhibition of glittering artworks. Make sure to get your crystal surprise upon presentation of your Innsbruck Card.
Where to eat in Innsbruck
Die Wilderin
Eating at Die Wilderin feels more like entering a secret society, and I suspect that’s how they want to keep it.
You need to book well in advance to get a table, there are no English menus (although the waitress was kind enough to translate everything for us), and I’m pretty sure my boyfriend and I were the only tourists there on the evening we visited.
But the classy though laid-back atmosphere and, most importantly, the exquisite food make it all worth it!
Combining the Tyrolean traditions with contemporary cuisine, the menu changes every day as all the dishes are prepared with high quality, fresh local products.
Highly recommended!
Bergisel Sky
Located on top of the Bergisel ski jumping tower, this restaurant would be worth it just for the fabulous views of Innsbruck, but the food is very good too.
I had the Tiroler Gröstl (a typical Tyrolean dish) and the homemade Apfelstrudel and everything was delicious!
Unfortunately, the service was a bit slow and unfriendly, but hey, you come here for the views and these do not let you down.
Akropolis
If you’re craving some Mediterranean cuisine, the Akropolis is the right choice for you.
I was surprised to see a Greek restaurant rated as one of the best places to eat in Innsbruck but decided to give it a try. I was not disappointed!
Although the place itself is a bit old-fashioned, all the food was very good, and I would happily eat here again.
Where to stay in Innsbruck
I didn’t really like the hotel I stayed at in Innsbruck, so I won’t recommend it here. Based on my research, I would probably stay at one of these 2 options if returning to Innsbruck:
Stage 12
A great choice if you want to stay right in the old town.
Stage 12 is a 4-star elegant city hotel featuring a spa and fitness center, a terrace with views of the Alps, and a cocktail bar.
Click here for more info and booking.
Ibis Innsbruck
Located next to Innsbruck’s train station and just a short 5-minute walk from the old town, Ibis Innsbruck is a modern and stylish 3-star hotel with affordable prices.
Click here for more info and booking.
So there you have it. All the best things to do in Innsbruck, Austria with the Innsbruck Card to help you plan your trip to the capital of Tyrol.
More travel tips
Travel Insurance
SafetyWing – Travel insurance is very important and you should never leave home without it! I use and recommend SafetyWing travel medical insurance for travelers, remote workers, and nomads.
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You can subscribe online here for a minimum of 5 days to a maximum of 364 days, or opt for a monthly subscription instead.
Cheap flights
Looking for the best airfare deals? Skyscanner is my favorite travel search engine for finding cheap flights around the world. They also offer price tracking and alerts to help you secure the best deals.
Accommodation
When it comes to accommodation, Booking.com is the best site out there. From hotels to apartments, resorts, villas, B&B, and guest houses, it offers the best prices for accommodation all over the world. I book the majority of my stays through them.
Yoga Retreats
Looking for a yoga retreat near home or in an exotic destination? BookYogaRetreats offers the best yoga retreats, holidays, and courses around the world for all budgets and levels of experience.
Tours
GetYourGuide is my favorite platform for local tours, unique experiences, and skip-the-line tickets to attractions all around the world.
Klook is another great resource for tours and activities, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Asia.
Car Rentals
Rentalcars.com is a car rental search engine that compares the biggest brands in car hire and allows you to find the cheapest deals all around the world.
* I paid full price for my Innsbruck Card and received no compensation for this review. As always, all opinions are my own.
Have you visited Innsbruck? What would you add to this list of what to do in Innsbruck? Share in the comments section below!
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nurul says
Love reading your post about Innsbruck. Where did you get your Innsbruck card and can we pay using credit card or just cash?
Vanda says
Thank you, Nurul! We got it at our hotel. You can buy it at most hotels, at the tourism office, or online.